Wednesday, June 1, 2011

April & May French Fridays with Dorie Roundup

The months of April and May are extremely busy for me and I didn't manage to make all of the FFwD recipes, but I did manage to squeeze in 5 of the 8 or 9 recipes planned.  Lately I have been finding it increasingly harder to fit in the FFwD recipes, but I really don't want to give up on the project because I've been so pleased with the recipes and I've learned quite a bit along the way.  The following recipes are no exception.
 Bistrot Paul Bert Pepper Steak
Okay, first up is this gorgeous Bistrot Paul Bert Pepper Steak and let me tell you, I made this over a month ago and I can still remember taking every luscious bite of it.  I didn't even know that a supermarket fillet could be this good.  Wow!  Dorie's recipe uses a fillet cut which is pressed into cracked pepper, pan-seared, and covered in a sauce of Cognac and cream.  Worth every calorie.....

Garlicky Crumb-Coated Broccoli
On the side I served this wonderful side dish, which I could totally make into a meal by the way, Dorie's Garlicky Crumb-Coated Broccoli.  Holy cow...I think I inhaled this.  I really did!  I absolutely adore broccoli and Dorie's recipe left the broccoli perfectly cooked with a good bite to it.  Of course, it was those amazing garlicky breadcrumbs that had me going back for more and more.  The recipe indicated that this dish didn't keep, or reheat well, and I needn't have worried about that.  We devoured it!  This recipe was probably my favorite of all the recipes I tried in April and May and I will definitely make broccoli this way from now on.
Quinoa, Fruit, and Nut Salad
I keep trying and trying to like quinoa.  Really I do.  This is the third time I've tried quinoa and I was really hoping that Dorie's recipe for Quinoa, Fruit and Nut Salad would make me a believer.  It didn't.  The recipe came together well and I really loved the idea of adding all the dried fruit and nuts,  but I guess I don't like quinoa and most likely never will.  I should point out that plenty of others tried this recipe and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Spinach and Bacon Quiche

I love my greens, so there was no way I was skipping Dorie's Spinach and Bacon Quiche.  Didn't matter to me if no one else in house was interested in eating this or not, I was definitely making it and I'm so thrilled I did.  Dorie's tart dough comes together so easily and bakes up so buttery and flaky.  A beautiful filling of sauteed spinach, crisp bacon, onions, garlic, egg, and cream is topped off with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese to create an amazing breakfast or brunch treat.  I had no problem eating a slice every day until it was gone. 
Cardamom Rice Pilaf
The last dish I made was Dorie's Cardamom Rice Pilaf.  Cardamom pods are bruised in order to release the tiny seeds inside which contribute both flavor and aroma to the plain white rice.  I made half of the recipe, which called for 1/2 cup rice and about 3 cardamom pods.  I think the flavor of the cardamom was subtle, yet recognizable.   I really enjoyed this rice with Dorie's Spiced and Buttered Glazed Carrots (which also have cardamom) and thought both of these dishes paired wonderfully together.  I will definitely pair both the cardamom rice and the buttery spiced carrots together again!

18 comments:

  1. Ah-mazing round up. I think you've convinced me to finally go buy this cookbook! I love your pics! They are really beautiful girlfriend!!!

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  2. Dang! Where's the recipe for the broccoli??! I'll have to search around, as I don't have the cookbook. I'd scarf up those greens in no time.
    Great roundup. I'm with you, though. I can't like Quinoa. It's a weird texture.

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  3. Great roundup! Those first two dishes/pictures...well, I'm officially blah on the meatballs and spaghetti I planned for tonight. I'd rather have that steak with the broccoli on the side. But who wouldn't?!

    BTW-I did like the Marie Rose Sauce, which is funny b/c I can sometimes be iffy on mayo based things.

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  4. That broccoli does look good, but, sadly, I don't have the cookbook either. Will have to fudge it with the florets I have in the veggie bin. Great job, Kim.

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  5. Msn I want to eat SO MANY of these! That rice...the quiche...swoon! Spring and summer do seem so much more busy, don't they? Can't life just slow down a minute!

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  6. I have found that I cannot commit to post on certain day - not happening with freelancing., But you and all the French Fridays with Dorie have kept me glued to the cookbook and I make sure I use mit. All looks grand, Kim.

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  7. Grrrr... I know "mit" isn't "it" and I meant to say "it."

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  8. It's amazing what garlicky breadcrumbs can do to veggies. ;-) Everything looks delicious.

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  9. All the food looks so good, but its that first picture that has me drooling all over my poor keyboard.
    *kisses* HH

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  10. Great round-up Kim, I love reading your FFwD roundups. I'm with you. I really don't like quinoa and never will. I've tried it twice. Yuck. I give up, lol. Everything looks delicious and yes that first photo definitely looks like it's worth every calorie...

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  11. I have the book and really need to open it up, that steak looks amazing, especially with the broccoli! Everything looks so good.

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  12. oh my gosh, everything looks so beautiful! i want to put that steak, broccoli and rice on one plate and gobble it for dinner. for breakfast i'll take that gorgeous tart!

    i've only had quinoa a few times myself and i might be in the same boat. i feel like i SHOULD like it, but i'm struggling.

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  13. That quiche picture is making me drool and the quinoa recipe sounds intriguing even if you didn't like it. :)

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  14. wow impressive cooking love the quinoa and fruit salad idea and the garlic brocolli your a fab cook :-)

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  15. What an amazing list!!!They look fantastic...I love the broccoli dish.

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  16. Great recipes! Funny about the quinoa. I just bought some because I have never tried and have heard its praises on other blogs. Not sure if I will like it either...lol Now I am more curious:)

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  17. Wonderful round-up! Quinoa seems to be like cilantro, very polarizing.

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  18. Just amazing how you fit in all of the foodie events that you participate in with a busy family on top! This round-up group (especially the filet and the broccoli) just looks amazing!

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